Hurt

Artist/Band: Johnny Cash

Lyrics for Song: Hurt
Lyrics for Album: American IV: The Man Comes Around

Comments by: Ed

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real

I wouldn't want to be in that position... But there are many people in that situation today. They could be spiritually dead, emotionally dead or dieing, and perhaps physically dieing. Maybe they are burnt out on a substance, or maybe it's just life in general...

The needle tears a hold
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

I think it was a Clint Black song that said, "Wherever you go, there you are." You can bury yourself in drugs, work, alcohol, food, and many other things to try to get rid of the pain. They'll even work for a short time, but then you'll start needing a little more... That begins a downward spiral that can lead to overdose. Then, it will be your family or the state that will bury you.

What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

A glimmer of hope... A feeling that there has got to be more to this life... Wanting to give it away, but perhaps not feeling worthy...

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair
Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

Life dissipating into "existance"... Still not being able to escape... "You are someone else, but I am still right here." No matter what you do, you're still right there in the midst of things.

What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end
And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I would keep myself
I would find a way

A glimmer of hope... I don't know if there is an exact distance, but it's "as far as the east is from the west". What is it? Salvation. God loves us enough that he sent His son as the payment for our sins. How do you receive it? Ask for it... You can start over again with your sins as far as the east is from the west. There will still be consequences, but you can be forgiven.

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real

I'd be willing to bet that people who have lost someone really close to them, have felt that way, too. You hurt yourself, just to see if you're still alive and capable of feeling anything. You breathe and seem to function, but you're not "alive"...

The same applies to people (ex.: the Police, EMT, etc.) who face the dark side of humanity everyday. Dealing with evil daily drains you, until you forget that there is some good in life. You just exist. You try to bury yourself in work, and may neglect everything else.

Don't pull away from those who care about you. Turn to Jesus.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.